17-Year-Old Kush Maini Talks About Racing in Europe and his Path to F1

Most 17-year-olds from India are just about to finish High School and are prepping for their 12th grade exams (the crucial career-shaping educational moment), KUSH MAINI on the other hand is on a fast track towards becoming India’s next Formula One driver. Along with his brother Arjun Maini and Jehan Daruvala, Kush forms a triumvirate of Indian hopefuls who are the country’s best bet to emulate their countrymen NARAIN KARTHIKEYAN and KARUN CHANDHOK at the pinnacle of motorsport in the years to come.

Kush began karting at the age of 5, though he only began taking the sport seriously at the age of 10. He almost immediately tasted success winning his first National Championship at the 2011 J.K.Tyre Rotax Max National Karting Championship and began racing in Europe the following year. Although the ages mentioned may seem shockingly young to you, it is important to know that though Kush got off to an incredibly young start for Indian standards, it is not uncommon for drivers from Europe, North America and South America to begin racing seriously from the ages of 8 and over. This ability to analyse, that to succeed in Formula One you have to be the best in the world rather than just your country is something that marks Kush out, though he experienced significant success in both India and parts of Asia, moving to Europe represents a different challenge altogether.